Monday, May 19, 2014

Kids and Summer Time

We are just a few weeks away from summer vacation and
already I can see the behavior problems creeping in. Boredom is one of the main
culprits of behavior problems in children. The lack of predictability that goes
hand in hand with summer and the absence of regular routines can cause stress
in children and can in turn cause them to act out.

Parents may overlook this factor. After all, what child
doesn’t love being out of school? Adults assume that most children would be
happier during the stress-free days of summer. But this isn’t always so. Many
children do much better with routines that are more synonymous with the school
year. When a child can anticipate what is coming it increases his sense of
control and independence and therefore encourages cooperation. Having a familiar
routine builds confidence and decreases anxiety.

But all is not lost just because it is summer. If your child
is not attending a summer camp or doesn’t have a daily activity to depend on,
it is still possible to build structure and routines into the day. Some useful
tips are:

- Try to maintain times and sequence of events as structured
as possible. For example, if a child is used to eating breakfast as soon as he
wakes up, stick to this routine.

- Since children feel more secure when they know what to
expect, it is best to plan the day ahead of time and discuss it your child the
day before.

- Build some choices into the day to help your child feel
some control and nurture self-esteem.

- Use visual schedules (pictures, drawings, etc.) to cue a
child about what is happening.

- Present scheduled of activities in a positive manner and
try not to be overly rigid. Some flexibility is always necessary. If you remain
flexible and adjust your expectations, it will be easier to maintain a
stress-free environment for your children.

- Plan physical outlets daily.
Kids need to burn energy.Sitting in
front of the computer or playing video games for hours long is a recipe for
disaster. Planning play-dates at the park or at the beach could be good ideas.
Going hiking and bike riding is always fun.

- Watch what they eat. If your child is not overweight some
“junk-food” is OK as long as you balance it with healthy food. Food is the main
source of energy. Too much sugar and processed food have a direct effect on
mood changes. When in doubt, consult with you pediatrician or a nutritionist.

-Plan some quality
one-on-one time with your kids where they are the “boss” and you play with
them.

And last but not least, always include some free time in the day –
children need some down time and it can be exhausting to be overly scheduled.